Teacher-strike talks continue at Northeastern Illinois U.

November 19, 2004

Talks between administrators and the union representing 500 faculty and staff members at Northeastern Illinois University continued with a federal mediator Thursday night, as both sides sought to avert a strike over workload and salary.

Officials with the University Professionals of Illinois, which represents the full-time faculty and staff at the North Side school of 12,000 students, said they are prepared to strike Friday unless terms for a new three-year contract are reached.

Negotiations over a new contract began last May.

If negotiations fail, it could signal the second higher-education strike in Chicago this fall, following a bitter three-week walkout at City Colleges of Chicago.

Anita Thomas, an associate professor of counselor education and union spokeswoman, said late Thursday the union is not seeking a specific salary increase. Rather, faculty members want the administration to implement a salary scale that would guarantee certain pay levels.